Editorial: A revolution that truly delivered freedom—and responsibility
By Brandi Makuski
As fireworks illuminate the night sky this Independence Day, Americans would do well to remember that July 4 commemorates far more than the birth of a nation. It marks the beginning of one of the only revolutions in history that led to sustained liberty—a remarkable outcome that continues to distinguish the United States from the rest of the world.
Unlike many revolutions, which have promised freedom but delivered tyranny, the American Revolution resulted in a durable framework for self-government. That framework, though far from perfect, was built on the idea that power should be restrained, not consolidated.
By contrast, the French Revolution quickly devolved into chaos. What began in 1789 as a call for liberty and equality ended in the blood-soaked Reign of Terror, followed by the rise of Napoleon and his authoritarian rule. France today is a thriving democracy, but only after generations of political upheaval and reform.
Russia’s 1917 revolution replaced the czars with a communist regime that brought gulags, purges, and totalitarian control. Today, the country remains under the grip of a strongman president, where political dissent is suppressed, independent journalism is dangerous work, and power remains deeply centralized.
China’s 1949 communist revolution led to decades of devastating policies, from the Great Leap Forward to the Cultural Revolution. The People’s Republic of China remains a one-party state, where civil liberties are sharply curtailed and the government maintains tight control over speech, religion, and personal freedom.
Iran’s 1979 revolution, fueled by opposition to monarchy and foreign interference, gave rise to a theocratic regime that has since cracked down on protests, the press, and women’s rights. Efforts at reform have repeatedly been met with force, and the nation’s democratic aspirations remain distant.
The Arab Spring offered a glimmer of hope for democratic movements across the Middle East and North Africa in the early 2010s, but in most cases, authoritarian regimes prevailed or returned. In places like Egypt and Syria, revolution led to either renewed dictatorship or devastating conflict.
In Venezuela, the so-called Bolivarian Revolution brought populist promises, but ended in economic collapse and political repression. Once South America’s wealthiest democracy, the country is now an authoritarian state where elections lack credibility and dissent is criminalized.
In each of these cases, revolutions led not to liberty, but to greater repression. The American experience is the rare exception—not because the founders were flawless, but because they created a system deliberately designed to limit the concentration of power and protect individual rights.
That system allowed for course corrections—through civil war, constitutional amendments, and hard-fought social movements.
But liberty is not self-sustaining. It requires more than waving flags or reciting slogans. Being an American means taking responsibility for the freedoms we enjoy. That includes educating ourselves, engaging with credible information, and participating in our democracy with eyes wide open.
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from responsibility. A citizenry that relies solely on social media headlines, partisan rhetoric, or hearsay undermines the very republic it claims to celebrate. In a self-governing society, ignorance is not harmless—it is dangerous.
So today, as we gather with family and friends to mark the Fourth of July, let’s remember that we inherited something rare. The American Revolution didn’t just secure our independence—it gave us a duty: to protect liberty by staying informed, thinking critically, and participating fully.
The founders fought to limit power. The least we can do is use ours wisely.
